Last Sunday was the final AIA home tour until Spring 2011. The tours welcomed guests with what local residents call "LA rain", but the weather did not stop a handful of design enthusiasts from taking in 4 uniquely different homes off Sunset Blvd. (from Brentwood to the Palisades). The tour started with a remodeled 1924 historic adobe house and ended with a contemporary residence. We all have our favorites when it comes to design aesthetics and on this tour I fell in love with the La Mesa House.

I hate to pick favorites, but the La Mesa House captivated my attention with its layout of the rooms, use of materials, and atrium. The home started as a 1924 John Byers designed adobe and developed into a contemporary residence while still coinciding with its historical architecture.

The Carrillo Residence greets guests with a large glass wall which allows for visibility into the living room and even captures the view. The choice of classic furnishings mixed with its modern architecture gives the home a warm and livable aesthetic. As with many of the homes on the house tour, the lap pool and the view command the attention of the outdoor living area.

From first glance of the house, I assumed the Sycamore House was a one-story home. However, it is built on the downhill side of the street and has three floors. This particular home stood out from the remaining homes for being the most modern and being on track for the LEED Platinum Certification. My favorite space was the home gym overlooking the outdoor living area and the incredible view.

The last home on the tour featured my favorite front exterior courtyard. The areas immediately following the entrance included the dining room, living room, and kitchen. Each space felt connected to one another to create a welcoming family atmosphere. I can appreciate the location of the fireplace, which is actually in the entryway and dining area rather than the living room. The painting above the fireplace - who else is in love with this ballerina art piece?

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Marcia is an interior, portrait, and travel photographer and has photographed over 50 homes of creatives. Her photographic style is capturing her subject in the most natural state and creating an emotional response.